An introduction and top surgery musings 1 year on (nearly)

Hi!

I'm Bug or Snel. However you know me is fine. I'm a trans, polyamorous and disabled person from the UK. I'm 26 and use he/it pronouns. I used to run a blog before this but, honestly, fuck Wordpress. I refuse to log back in even to delete or move it. My opinions on Wordpress aside, it's good to have a blog again. I thought I'd actually make use of my Kofi and own url, too, just in case wants to support my writing. I also wanted a place to muse and put my thoughts down in case they're helpful for someone else going through top surgery soon. I had top surgery almost a year ago and, unfortunately, had complications with that. I burst my stitches on one side and had to battle a massive infection.

Thankfully I had my 2 (and a half, at the time, now 3.) partners to support me. However, having an inch wide hole in my side and being told that not even A&E could stitch it up was certainly an experience.

A&E at 1am because my stitches had gotten infected was a terrible first date. My side was literally leaking fluid. It was awful. Somehow, despite my now girlfriends fear of blood, she does not begrudge me for the blood I spurted across the floor in the A&E triage room due to an accident with the cannula. Unfortunately, at no point did any doctors attempt to stem the flow of fluid leaking from my side hole, so my shirt was just very wet. It was a sensory nightmare of epic proportions.

Did I mention during this time in A&E my shoes fell apart? That's what I get buying used shoes from Vinted I suppose.

My other partners were sat at their respective homes worrying about me. I tried my best to keep them updated, along with my not-yet girlfriend doing the same. There was a moment where they thought they would have to take me in due to how bad my infection was. But thankfully, I was let go at 5am(?) and picked up by one of my partners. (The only one of us who can drive.)

I had my surgery in Manchester and stay in Liverpool and Outer Manchester respectively, depending which partners I'm staying with at the time. This made things frustrating.

Aside from the horror story, I have some advice for those looking to get top surgery, so they don't go through the same complications I went through.

1. Sleep upright. Don't succumb to the sirensong of regular sleep, no matter how much you'll need it. You will not sleep well.
2. Sleep with a maternity pillow to keep you from rolling over. Do not sleep on your side, regardless of how comfy it may be.
3. Buy silicone straws, so you can drink liquids without having to raise your arms too high.
4. Scar care is optional. I healed completely fine (part of my scars are almost invisible) without it. However, it may give you nicer results.
5. Get someone to take care of you after surgery. No more explanation needed.
6. Whatever they give you to eat after surgery WILL be the best thing you've ever eaten.
7. Compression socks are itchy, at least we're for me. You will LOVE the hour you are allowed to take them off per day.
8. Tell the surgeons if you have any allergies or intolerances.
9. Keep your wounds clean and try not to get them wet. I believe I got mine wet while showering, which may have been where my nasty infection came from.
10. Showering will be a pain and you will need help for the next few weeks.
11. Speaking of showering, non scented shower stuff or bust.
12. Seeing your chest the first time after surgery will be gory, but it was somehow euphoric for me.
13. Do not scratch your chest. It will itch like hell, especially the nipples. However, you may actually cause damage to yourself doing this. (Ask me how I know.) 
14. Skin picking due to OCD is especially difficult. Try to have a stim toy that simulates the same feeling. I'd recommend a picky pad.
15. You'll check in and then wait several hours for surgery. I ended up last on the list, so I took a nap during this time.
16. Autism doesn't like change, so you may be overwhelmed for a while if autistic. This is a major change, after all.

All in all, despite my dog ear, I'm incredibly happy with my results from the Manchester team. The wait time was long, I can't imagine how much longer it'd have been if I wasn't picked up by Transcend / CMAGIC. Next on my list, a hysterectomy. Here's hoping it goes smoothly this time. I simply don't have the spoons for it to go wrong.